GLYN GmbH und Co. KG based in Idstein specializes in the distribution of electronic components and systems. To reliably guarantee the quality of semiconductor purchases and safely identify manipulated components, GLYN has expanded its incoming goods inspection with the VHX-X1 Series digital microscope from KEYENCE. In a specially built, ESD-protected Quality Control Room, the company inspects international purchases, documents all images centrally, and thus creates security and trust—both internally and during demanding customer audits.
This case at a glance
- Reliably detecting manipulated components. In semiconductor distribution, the VHX-X1 helps to reliably identify counterfeit or manipulated components and guarantee the quality of purchases.
- Inspection in the Quality Control Room. The microscope is located in an ESD-protected room with adjustable humidity, where random samples of international purchases are examined.
- High level of detail. Images from various angles via the tiltable stand make the smallest surface details visible—down to machining marks on the pins.
- Seamless documentation. All data flows into the central database and is available to colleagues from various business units.
- Customer trust. During presentations and audits, the VHX is a convincing instrument that creates security internally and externally.
Reliable inspection
Reliable identification of manipulated components in incoming goods
Centralized documentation
Automatic data acquisition directly into the central database
Trust
Convincing instrument for customer presentations and audits
About GLYN GmbH
Since its founding in 1980, GLYN GmbH und Co. KG has specialized in the distribution of electronic components and systems. GLYN offers and supports high-quality products and systems from leading manufacturers in the fields of semiconductors, displays, power electronics, sensors, wireless, and storage media. The company headquarters and European central warehouse are located in Idstein/Taunus near Frankfurt am Main. Worldwide, GLYN employs approximately 180 employees. The VHX Series digital microscope is characterized by its high depth of field and user-friendly operation: the smallest surface details can be viewed and analyzed in 4K, and a wide range of lighting and measurement functions in 2D and 3D ensure high precision and broad applicability.
ChallengeReliably detecting manipulated components
For years, the semiconductor industry has been confronted with a growing challenge: counterfeit or manipulated components. Especially in times of material shortages, the prices for certain components rise sharply—and with them, the temptation for fraudsters. For example, surfaces of components are removed and provided with new, higher-value type designations, already used components are sold as new, or empty housings without functional components are put into circulation.
"In exchanges with the industry and in seminars by experts, we have heard of case studies in which suspicious components were not reliably detected," explains Fabian Hoffend. In line with the company mission to deliver first-class premium support, GLYN decided to take proactive action here. The previous inspection methods—including an acetone test to remove subsequently applied labeling and a camera solution—were expanded in a comprehensive project with KEYENCE. Especially with a view to the constantly progressing miniaturization, GLYN is positioning itself very well with these measures.
"To meet the rising quality demands of our customers and build trust, incoming goods inspection was raised to a new level with additional investments and expanded processes. We have particularly stepped up our efforts with the microscope to further strengthen our good reputation in the market."
— Fabian Hoffend, Manager Logistics, Customer & Supplier Support
SelectionWhy the KEYENCE VHX-X1 digital microscope?
After intensive research and a visit to an external laboratory, the decision was made to purchase a digital microscope from the VHX-X1 Series. It enables a level of detail that cannot be achieved with the naked eye or existing inspection methods. The tiltable stand allows flexible imaging from various angles, while the simple visualization and automated acquisition of all relevant data enable comprehensive documentation in just a single step.
"Our colleagues in the laboratory told us: KEYENCE is top-notch and the digital microscope is an all-rounder."
— Fabian Hoffend
"We can measure down to the micrometer how deep a component marking has been engraved or laser-marked," explains Hoffend. "We can immediately see on the pins whether they have already been soldered or if there is corrosion." In addition to the intuitive operation, high resolution, and great flexibility, the trouble-free IT integration was a decisive advantage: the supplied PC could be fully equipped with the company's own software, so that all acquired data flows directly into the central database. Training and onboarding also went smoothly—all employees were comprehensively trained by KEYENCE, supplemented by follow-up training after six months.
ResultsSampling inspection in the Quality Control Room
The digital microscope is located in a specially built Quality Control Room: an ESD-protected room with adjustable humidity to ensure an optimal inspection environment. Here, random samples of all components that do not come directly from franchise manufacturers but were procured through international purchases are examined.
The inspection process is clearly defined: high-resolution images are taken from various angles, automatically capturing all relevant geometric data. These images are stored in the central database and can be evaluated by colleagues from different business units. "The intuitive operation and automated data acquisition allow us to work very efficiently," explains Hoffend.
ImpactSecurity, trust, and more efficient work
The investment in a KEYENCE digital microscope has paid off for GLYN in several ways. According to Hoffend, the core benefit is obvious: reliable quality assurance in incoming goods inspection. Since commissioning, the processes have gained significantly in effectiveness.
But the added value goes far beyond pure error prevention: the microscope has also become an important tool in sales. After detailed presentations of the inspection process—in which images from the digital microscope play an important role—and regular invitations to view the inspection live, even customers who had previously been skeptical of international purchases were convinced. "Of course, the VHX is a real eye-catcher during demanding customer audits and quickly builds trust," says Hoffend.
"Customers are impressed when they see the precision with which we can work. This creates security internally and externally: security for us during inspection and trust for our customers."
— Fabian Hoffend, Manager Logistics, Customer & Supplier Support
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q What challenge did GLYN want to solve with the KEYENCE VHX-X1 in incoming goods inspection?
A
The semiconductor industry is increasingly confronted with counterfeit or manipulated components. GLYN wanted to reliably identify such components and guarantee the quality of its purchases, in order to meet customers' rising quality expectations and build trust.
Q Why did GLYN choose the KEYENCE VHX-X1 digital microscope?
A
After intensive research and a visit to an external laboratory, the decision fell on the VHX. Key factors were its high level of detail, flexible imaging from various angles via the tiltable stand, intuitive operation, and comprehensive documentation in a single step.
Q How does inspection with the KEYENCE VHX-X1 work at GLYN in practice?
A
The microscope is located in a dedicated, ESD-protected Quality Control Room with adjustable humidity. There, samples of international purchases are inspected: high-resolution images are captured from various angles, automatically recording relevant geometry data and storing it in the central database.
Q How does the VHX-X1 support documentation and IT integration?
A
All captured data flows directly into GLYN's central database and is available to colleagues from various business units. The supplied computer could be fully equipped with the company's own software, making seamless IT integration a decisive advantage.
Q What value does the KEYENCE VHX-X1 add beyond inspection itself?
A
The core benefit is reliable quality assurance in incoming goods inspection. Beyond that, the microscope has become an important sales instrument: in customer presentations and audits it quickly builds trust and convinces even customers who were previously skeptical of international purchases.
Q How did the KEYENCE VHX-X1 introduction and training go?
A
Onboarding went smoothly. All employees were comprehensively trained by KEYENCE, supplemented by a follow-up training session after six months. With increasing practice, inspection times were significantly reduced and intuitive operation via the console became the new routine.
